Evansville basketball player declared ineligible by NCAA

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) — Evansville forward Deandre Williams will not play this season after being ruled ineligible by the NCAA.

The Purple Aces said Wednesday that NCAA officials denied the school’s request for a waiver. Williams was considered a non-qualifier but will be allowed to keep his scholarship and practice with the team this season.

First-year coach Walter McCarty issued a statement saying Evansville “respected” the decision and was “excited” to have Williams around the team this season.

The 6-foot-9 freshman averaged 24 points and 11 rebounds at Nation Wide Academy in Oklahoma City last season. He graduated from Houston Klein Forest High School in 2016 and was selected to participate in the NBA’s Top 100 Camp in 2015.